First Quarter Update

If you want to know why the Miami Heat fall into that nebulous category of potentially dangerous in the playoffs, it goes beyond Dwyane Wade. In Jermaine O’Neal and Michael Beasley Miami has a pair of athletic and active big men who run the floor well and can provide matchup problems.

O’Neal and Beasley combined for 10 points and seven rebounds in the first quarter while the Heat shot a scintillating 55 percent from the floor in taking a 25-22 lead. The Celtics, meanwhile, have struggled mightily, making just 8-of-24 shots, but own a 14-9 edge on the boards. On a positive note for the C’s, Paul Pierce heated up late in the quarter, sticking that step-back 20-footer and nailing a contested 3-pointer from the top of the key.

Both teams have something to play for tonight. The Celtics, of course, are trying to hold off Orlando for the second seed, while Miami has a one game lead on Philly for the fifth seed. The Magic are hosting the Knicks tonight, while the Sixers are in Cleveland. The Cavs can clinch homecourt with one more win, or one more Celtics loss.